Rambling on the Trump-Ukraine fiasco

The Trump conversation with Zelensky regarding the investigation of Burisma and the Bidens has nothing to do with the 2016 election nor the 2020 upcoming elections.

It has to do with Ukraine corruption and the 'Orange Revolution' of 2004 where the election was rigged for Yanukovych. One of Yanukovych's cronies was Zlochevskiy, who was appointed as Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and then as the Deputy Secretary of Economic and Social Security. Yanukovych was ousted in 2014 in the Ukrainian Revolution.

Zlochevskiy is the founder of Burisma, the largest oil and natural gas company in Ukraine. Burisma hired Hunter Biden in 2014, three months after the revolution.

Zlochevskiy fled the Ukraine at the end of 2014 under suspicion of self-enrichment while in office.

In 2015, Shokin was appointed Ukraine's Prosecutor General. He established an anti-corruption department. Shokin was accused of stalling investigations into Yanukovych's allies (such as Zlochevskiy). In February of 2016, Shokin raided the home of Zlochevskiy. Later that same month, a Burisma representative in the US (Blue Star Strategies) contacted the US State Department about the Burisma investigation.

In March, the then VP, Joe Biden, threatened to withhold $1 billion in US backed loans unless Shokin was fired. Later that month, Shokin was dismissed.
Shokin was going to be fired for NOT investigating Yanukovych's allies.

Zlochevskiy was a Yanukovych ally.
Zlochevskiy founded Burisma.
When Shokin began investigating Burisma, Biden had him fired, citing corruption.

THAT is why Burisma was being investigated for corruption and how Biden was directly involved.

Schadenfreude is not a german dog breed

I know most of you think I follow politics WAY too much. But what I do is research items I hear in the news, usually making me mad that the news was not entirely truthful. What I don't do is watch politics and politicians.

But today, at lunch, I turned on the television, and it happened to be on a channel carrying Trump's press conference. And I was actually enthralled. Not because I'm some devotee of his, but because what I saw was the press trying their best to hurt the President of the United States. Even more, I saw Trump deftly parrying each thrust and turning the dagger back on the press.

The press wants to know if Trump is working with Russia, but in the same breath wants to know if he is going to address Russia's overt hostile acts. (How can they be hostile and cooperative?)

So Trump tells them that being friendly with a foreign country is not a bad thing. And then he turned the blade. Why, he asked, was the press fawning over Hillary's failed "Russian Reset" (complete with fake plastic button)? Why did the press say nothing when Hillary arranged a deal to provide uranium by the ton to Russia?

Why are they against working with Russia only now?

I couldn't look away. It was like watching a street thug take on an MMA fighter. It was almost unfair.

To paraphrase Sidney Morgenbesser, it was unfair because he beat them over the head but not unjust because he beat ALL of them over the head.

#Schadenfreude


https://youtu.be/W5FRUM-AK9k

Re-Blog: "This Hitler Nonsense"

I am not an expert on Hitler. But my father is.

He toured post-war Germany extensively in 1957 and ’58 as a child performer. And he often recounts the stories. He befriended  teenage Lebensborn children (if you don’t know what Lebensborn children are …well …before you post anymore about Hitler you should read about them). He visited an SS widow and got a peek at her husband’s uniform and Luger (that he’d committed suicide with), she had stored in an old trunk, in the attic.

These and other intense experiences in Germany sent my father on a life-long quest to understand this sociopath (Hitler) and the country that allowed itself to be dragged into one of the darkest chapters in world history. My dad is a Hitler/Nazi buff the way Indiana Jones’ dad was a Holy Grail buff.

Re-Blog: "A Thought Experiment About Republicans"

The left has done a stellar job of demonizing Trump supporters and Republicans in general. Their excellent persuasion involves conflating the bad apples with the entire group. Both sides do it. The right calls everyone on the left selfish snowflakes, and the left calls everyone on the right racists. They do it because it works. The brain likes to conflate things. And if the shiniest object in our view involves headlines about racists, or lefty rioters, those images stick in our minds and taint our impressions of the entire group.

So let’s try this thought experiment.

Let’s say there is a group of Trump-supporting racists – the violent kind that I have never met – that starts terrorizing an African-American neighbor of yours. And let’s say it turns into a violent confrontation between the racists and the victim family. The neighborhood hears some commotion and pours into the streets. The racists have weapons and they are about to kill the family that was just minding its own business. The police are on the way, but not in time. Violence is about to happen.

Suddenly a shot rings out. A bullet goes through the back of the scariest racist’s head and hollows out his skull. He drops like a rock. The other racists drop their weapons and flee.

Who fired the shot that saved the African-American family? Was it a Republican or a Democrat?

One of the most underrated qualities of Republicans is that they police their own ranks. If you have a problem with a violent Republican racist, call some Republicans. They’ll solve it for you.

But don’t call a Republican if you are simply offended by another person’s opinion. In that situation you want to call some Democrats to ridicule and physically attack the person with the objectionable opinion.

By the way, I’m not a Republican. This is just an observation. I’ve been watching Democrats not police their own ranks – after the Berkeley violence for example – and it occurred to me that you don’t see that on the Republican side. Republicans generally appreciate free speech, but if someone attacks your family, your country, or your freedom in some physical form, keep some Republicans on speed dial.

Try it. You’ll be surprised how well it works.

Are you bothered by the fact that I am making sweeping and unsupported generalizations about Democrats and Republicans? If so, call a Democrat. I await your combined ridicule and physical violence.

---

source:
Scott Adams
A Thought Experiment About Republicans
Posted February 5th, 2017
http://blog.dilbert.com/post/156850873521/a-thought-experiment-about-republicans

TrumpLand and Clinton Archipelago

Trump Land as envisioned by percent voting for Trump in the 2016 popular vote


Clinton Archipelago as envisioned by percent voting for Clinton in the 2016 popular vote

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source:
TrumpLand and Clinton Archipelago - Vivid Maps

everyone I don't like is fascist

Is Donald Trump a fascist? Everyone says so. Except no one knows what a "fascist" really is. So, let's compare and contrast Trump and his policies to fascism.

Pro-fascist-Trump:

1. "Trump uses ethnic stereotypes."
1. Trump calls for an end to illegal immigration on our southern border with Mexico. Many illegal immigrants are criminals. That doesn't mean all Mexicans in the US are illegal immigrants or criminals.
1. Association Fallacy: Illegal immigrants can be Mexicans. Illegal immigrants can also be criminals. All Mexicans must therefore be criminals.
2. Trump calls for a cessation in accepting refugees from the Middle East without strict vetting for terrorists. That doesn't mean all middle-easterners are terrorists.
1. Fallacy of Composition: Terrorists are muslim. Therefore all muslims are terrorists.
3. Likewise, Trump calls for better policing of Muslims in the US. That doesn't mean all Muslims are terrorists. However, currently, almost all terrorists in the US have been Muslim.
2. "Make America Great Again" is the same nationalist rallying cry fascists use.
1. Nationalism does not equal racism. If some nationalist are racist, all nationalist are not therefore racist.
1. Fallacy of Composition: Fascists are nationalists. Therefore all nationalists are fascists.
2. Nationalism does not exclude other cultures and peoples. It is a statement of pride and unity, not division.
3. Nationalism can be used to divide "us versus them", but just because something can be done doesn't mean it will be done.
1. Appeal to Probability: Nationalists can possibly be Racists. All Nationalists must be Racists.
3. "He plays on the fears of economic decline."
1. The economy has declined. Employment is down. Real wages are down. The value of the dollar is down. Federal debt has skyrocketed. These are rational fears.
2. The economy may not be as bad as Trump makes it sound. But should that be reason to ignore it?
4. "He has an aggressive foreign policy."
1. What is the alternative? Not to provide a false-dichotomy, but is the alternative a passive foreign policy?
2. Has the less aggressive foreign policy of Trump's predecessor been successful? Policies can be judged fairly by their results.

Anti-fascist-Trump:

1. Fascists are anti-individualism.
1. A fascist's brand of nationalism was to subject the individual to the needs of the state.
2. Trump is fiercely individualistic. You are only to be nationalist to a government which does not restrict your freedoms.
2. Fascists restrict businesses for the good of the country.
1. Trump wants to lift restrictions on businesses for the good of the businesses.
3. Ownership of land remained with the people, but fascists want to control the use of the land.
1. Trump wants private ownership of anything.

---

source:
#specificallyTHIS: Is Donald Trump a fascist?

President-Elect Donald Trump acceptance speech

"Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division, have to get together. To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people."

"Working together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the American dream. I've spent my entire life in business, looking at the untapped potential in projects and in people all over the world."

"Every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. We are going to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals."

"No dream is too big, no challenge is too great. Nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach. America will no longer settle for anything less than the best. We must reclaim our country's destiny and dream big and bold and daring."

"So it's been what they call a historic event, but to be really historic, we have to do a great job, and I promise you that I will not let you down. We will do a great job."

"And I can only say that while the campaign is over, our work on this movement is now really just beginning. We're going to get to work immediately for the American people, and we're going to be doing a job that hopefully you will be so proud of your President."

- President Donald Trump

Bill Clinton and Donald Trump - a tale of two reactions

Bill Clinton (x22)

Person - Allegation
Date of event - Date of allegation - Waited (years)
Proof / Hearsay

Eileen Wellston - Sexual assault in Oxford
1969 - 1969 - 0
Hearsay of accuser, of Clinton claiming consensual, and of State Department employee who investigated

Unnamed woman at Yale - Sexual assault
1972 - Never - n/a
Hearsay of campus policeman and of the accuser

Unamed student at Univeristy of Arkansas - Sexual assault
1974 - 1974 - 0
Hearsay of accuser and of Clinton claiming consensual

Juanita Broaddrick - Raped her in her hotel room
1970 - 1999 - 29
Hearsay of accuser

Dolly Kyle Browning - 17 year affair
1975 - 1998 - 23
Written declaration to Paula Jones's lawyers

"Troopergate" - Multiple sexual affairs or assaults*
1978 - 1994 - 16
Hearsay of an article written by two Arkansas state troopers

*Regina Blakely Hopper
~1978 - 1997 - 19
Hearsay of former Arkansas state trooper L.D. Brown

*Robyn Dickey
~1978 - 1997 -  19
Hearsay of former Arkansas state trooper L.D. Brown

*Lencola Sullivan
~1978 - 1997 -  19
Hearsay of former Arkansas state trooper L.D. Brown

Carolyn Moffet - Sexual assault at his hotel
1979 - ? - ?
Hearsay

Leslie Milwee - Three sexual assaults
1980 - 2011 - 31
Hearsay;

Elizabeth Ward Gracen - One-night stand
1982 - 1992 - 10
Recanted

Sally Miller-Perdue - Affair
1983 - 1994 - 9
Hearsay

Connie Hamzy - Attempted one night stand
1984 - 1991 - 7
Hearsay; alternate story told by George Stephanopoulos

*Becky Brown - Sexual harassment
1985 - 1997 - 12
Hearsay of former Arkansas state trooper and husband L.D. Brown

Helen Dowdy - Groped at a wedding
1986 - 2000 - 14
Hearsay

Paula Jones - Propositioned and exposed himself to her in his hotel room
1991 - 1994 - 3
Lawsuit settled; Bill Clinton stripped of law license

Sandra Allen James - Sexual assault in his hotel room
1991 - 1999 - 8
Hearsay

Gennifer Flowers - 12 year affair
1992 - 1977 - 15
Bill's admission under oath

Christy Zercher - Sexual assault on plan
1992 - 1998 - 6
Hearsay

Kathleen Willey - Groped her in the Oval Office
1993 - 1998 - 5
Hearsay of accuser and of Linda Tripp

Monica Lewinsky - 2 year affair
1995 - 1998 - 3
Blue dress

Bonus - "Lolita Express and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein"


Reaction to Bill Clinton's accusations:
“Censure President Clinton and Move On to Pressing Issues Facing the Nation” - moveon.org

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Donald Trump (x13)

Jessica Leeds - Sexually assaulted on a plane
1980's - 2016 - 36
Hearsay

Kristin Anderson - Groped at The China Club
1990's - 2016 - 26
Hearsay

Jill Harth - Attempted rape at Mar-a-lago
1993 - 1997 - 4
Lawsuit dropped by Harth

"Jane Doe" - Statutory rape at party of Jeffrey Epstein (see Bill Clinton and "Lolita Express", above)
1994 - 2016 - 22
Hearsay of accuser and two unnamed persons

Temple Taggart McDowell - Sexual assault
1997 - 2016 - 19
Hearsay

Karena Virginia - Sexual assault ("grabbed my right arm, then his hand touched the right inside of my breast")
1998 - 2016 - 18
Hearsay

Mindy McGillivray - Groped at Mar-a-lago
2003 - 2016 - 13
Hearsay

Rachel Crooks - Elevator at Trump Tower
2005 - 2016 - 11
Hearsay

Natasha Stoynoff - Sexual assault at Mar-a-lago
2005 - 2016 - 11
Hearsay

Summer Zervos - Sexual assault
2005 - 2016 - 11
Hearsay

Jessica Drake - Sexual assault
2006 - 2016 - 10
Hearsay

Unnamed friend of Erin Burnett - Sexual assault
2010 - 2016 - 6
Hearsay by Erin Burnett

Cassandra Searles - Sexual assault
2013 - 2016 - 3
Hearsay

Reaction to Donald Trump's accusations:
"He is the worst person ever!"

everyone they don't like is Hitler

Positions actually held by Adolf Hitler

1. Was a socialist, as in the National Socialist German Workers' Party, a.k.a. Nazis.
2. Expressly targeted those with wealth, such as bankers.
3. Increased government funded programs, such as infrastructure, to spur economic growth.
4. Created job programs.
5. Made a national healthcare and unemployment insurance program. This ran huge deficits.
6. Enacted sweeping gun control. Used gun registry to identify and remove dissidents.
7. Pro-abortion, primarily for eugenics.
8. Believed that the raising of children was a social responsibility of the state, and not the individual.
9. Turned the populace against the 1%.
10. Stoked the flames of racial animosity.
11. Wanted universal participation in "service".
12. Controlled media.

Positions held by Donald Trump

1. Pure capitalist.
2. Is wealthy, himself. He wants to lower taxes on the wealthy to spur growth.
3. Believes companies spur economic growth, independent from government.
4. Independent companies are job programs, themselves. Allowing them to grow unfettered provides jobs.
5. Wants to reduce the size of national healthcare while expanding the markets of private insurers, such as allowing them to compete across state boundaries.
6. Ambivalent on gun control.
7. Pro-abortion.
8. Raising children is the responsibility of the parents.
9. Is part of the 1%.
10. Also stoked the flames of racial animosity.
11. No interest in service programs.
12. Media has been doing everything it can to defeat him. Zero major news outlets have endorsed him.

Positions held by Hillary Clinton

1. Is a socialist by her party platform, her political positions, and her social values. She even has owned the mantle of a "Progressive", which is another name for socialist.
2. Expressly targets those with wealth, such as corporations.
3. Wants to increase government funded programs, such as infrastructure, to spur economic growth.
4. Wants to create job programs.
5. Will increase the coverage of the current national healthcare program, which is already running deficits.
6. Praises gun confiscation policies of other nations, and wants more gun restrictions in the US. Wants a complete gun registry.
7. Pro-abortion. Admires Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, who was a firm proponent of eugenics.
8. "It takes a village."
9. Turns the populace against the 1%.
10. Also stokes the flames of racial animosity.
11. Pushes for national service.
12. Majority of media are Democrats. All major news outlets have endorsed her.